Centrifugal clutch for motors



`Iune 14,-1932. L. M. PERSONS ,CENTRIFUGAL CLUTCH FOR MoToRs Filedv Aug. 16. 1929 Patented` June 14, A1932 l i UNITED STATES PATENT)l OFFICE LAUnENcn u. masons, or si'. Louis, alussoum, Samtron To smsen' nLEcrrnIo MANUFACTURING co., or s'r. Louis, mssounr, A coaroaurron or mssounr CENTBIFUGAL CLUTCH FOR MOTORS Applicationvled August 16, 1929. Serial No. 386,897.

My invention relates to a centrifugal clutch for use with electric'motors. One `object is the provision of such a clutch which shall be simple to manufacture, sturdy, and eiicient in operation. Another object is the provision of such a clutch which shall have a maximum clutching or. clamping action. Other objects will appear from time to ltime in the course of the specification and claims.

I illustrate .my invention more or less diagrammatically 1n the accompanying drawing, wherein- Figure 1 is an axial section;

Figure 2 is a section on the line 2-2 of Fi ure 1; l

igure 3 is a section on the line 3 3 of Figure 1;

Figure 4 is a section on the line 4-4 of Figure2;.and

Figure 5 is a detail.

Referring to the drawing, A generally indicates amotor'housing within which any suitable field structure A1 is positioned.

B indicates a motor shaft the ends of which may be supported in bearings as at B1.'

Mounted about the shaft B is the sleeve B2 which may be held against rotation in relation to the shaft as by the screw B5. Radially extending from the sleeve B2 is the circumferential flange B4 which is thickened at its outer edge as at B". The inner face of said flange is inclined as at B*1 and set therein is the frictional Amember B1 with its inclined exposed face B8. It will be understood that the structure as a Whole rotates in unison with the shaft B. t

Mounted aboutl the shaft B is the armature lstructure generally indicated as C which may include the inner sleeve C1 and'bearing por-y tions C2. op osed to the externalr face of the.

shaft B an rotatable in relation thereto.

Secured to one end of the armature'is the cruciform guiding element generally indi-V cated as D. Itis provided with diametrically op osed guiding .arms D1 D1 and the intermediate arms D2 D2.

. ous arms are secured to the armature as by the screws Dl which ass through the bushin D1. It will be un erstood thatthe member is centrally apertured as at D", the aperture These vari-` bein of such size as to clear the shaft B and the s eeve B2. The inner edge of the aperture D5 is inwardlyl offset as at D.

Slidable along t e guiding arms D1. D1 are the centrifugal weights generally indicated as E, E. Each such weight includes a portion E1, the portions E1 of the two weights being connected by the springs E11 E2 which tend to draw the weights together and t0 move them toward the center of rotation of the motor. The portion E1 of each weight includes hook elements E.8 Ea which, as shown in Fi re 4, surround the edges of the guide arm 1. As will b e seen in Figure 4 the proportion of parts is such that a certain amount of lateral play in relation to the guide arm D1 is possible, permitting the weight a certain degree of movement in the eneral plane of the arm D1. Extending ra ially outwardly from each member E1 1s the wedge portion proper E1. As will be seenfor` example in Figure 1 this portion E4 conforms enerally to the opposed wedging surface B8 o the frictional element B1.

It will be understood that when rotation of the armature C is initiated. as the armature comes up to speedthe cruciform member D will lbe rotated and a centrifugal movement will be imparted to the weights E which tends to separate them, against the resistance of the springs E?. As this centrifugal move# ment continues the wedge portions E*l of the Weights engage the frictional element B" and the result of the inclination of the opposed surfaces is a wedging action which effects the clamping or clutch action which is` desired. The disposal of parts herein disclosed provides a compound multiplication of power to the clutch surfaces. In the first place, the' angle of the opposed clutch faces of the members *E* and B" produces a multiplication or wedging action, in response tothe centrifugal movement of the wedges against the frictional member. In the second place the drag on the weights which kfollows from their impingement against and frictlonal contact with the member B" causes an 1ncreased outward force by the angle .which they'take in'relation to the supportm or guiding arms D1. The slight lateral A defining a single cone, and guiding means for ance above mentioned permits the weights to tilt slightly in relation to their supports and this tilting action causes an additional compression ,oroutward exertion of force against the frictional member B7. As the weights come into contact the resulting drag causes an increased outward thrust since the hook elements Ea do not constrain the weights E to strictly radial movement but permit them to take a slight angle to the radius.

I claim:

1. In a, clutch structure adapted for use with a motor, a fixed clutch member and a centrifugal clutch member mounted for generally radial movement, the clutch members being provided with opposed wedging clutch surfaces the surfaces of each clutch member the centrifugal member adapted to permit it to tilt somewhat in response to the drag caused by its contact with the fixed clutch member.

2. In a motor and clutch structure, a motor shaft, anI armature rotatable about said shaft, and a clutch assembly adapted in response to the rotation of the armature to lock said shaft and armature against relative rotation, which includes a fixed clutch member, yand a centrifugal clutch member mounted for generally radial movement, the clutch members being provided with opposed wedging clutch surfaces and means tending normally to move the centrifugal clutch member into inoperative position, and guide means for the movable clutch membe adapted to permit said movable clutch mein-4 bers to cant or tilt slightly from a normally radial path ,in response to its engagement with the fixed clutch member.

3. In a motor and clutch structure, a motor shaft, an armature rotatable about said shaft, and a clutch assembly adapted, in response to rotation of the armature, to lock said shaft and armature against relative r0- tation, which includes a clutch member fixed in relation to the shaft, including a circumferentially frictional member having a wedging clutch surface, and a pair of centrifugal clutch members mounted on the armature,

and means for (guiding them for diametrically opposedan generally radial movement said centrifugal members being provided with wedge faces opposed to the wedge face of the frictional'. member, the centrifugal members being mounted to permit them to tilt slightly laterally in response to their contact with the frictional member.

4. In a motor and clutch structure, a motor shaft, an armature freely" rotatable there` on, a clutch member fixed to the motor shaft and having a frictional clutch surfacear-AA ranged in opposition to an end wall 0f the armature, ide means carried b the armature and including s ubstanti y radially disposed guiding surfaces, certain of which surfaces are disposed in planes substantially perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the armaturel and certain of which surfaces .are disposed in planes substantially parallel to said axis, and movable clutch members -positioned on said guide means and operable in response toi-centrifugal force in the armature when rotated to move radially into clutchin engagement with the first mentioned c utch member, said movable clutch members including portions embracing the guiding surfaces of the guide members and having surfaces arallel with the cooperative guiding sur aces of said ide means, said portions being dimensione tomaintain the cooperativeguidng surfaces ofthe guide member and clutch members that are disposed in planes substantially perpendicular to the axis of rotation and to permit a substantial amount of lost motion between the cooperative guiding surfaces that are disposed in planes substantially parallel to the axis of rotation.

5. In a centrifugal clutch, a shaft mount` ed for rotation, a clutch member fixed thereto, and includin a conical clutch surface, a member mounte on the shaft for free rotation, movable clutch members carried by said members and provided with inclined faces coo ratively disposed with reference to said -conical clutch surface, guide means enga by the movable clutch members and by wlll said members are directed into operative engagement with the conical clutch surface under the influence of ccntrifu l force,'said movable clutch member and guide means being relatively dimensioned to permit slight canting of said movable clutch members from engagement with the conical clutch surface whereby to increase the friction contact between said clutch members.

6. In a clutch structure adapted for use with a motor, a fixed clutch member and a centrifugal clutch member mounted for nerally radial movement, the clutch mem rs being provided with opposed wed clutch surfaces, and guiding means for tlie centrifugal member adapted to permit it to tilt somewhat in response to the 'drag caused by its contact with the fixed clutch member, the guiding means for the centrifu l member including a radial guide, thereeing sucient clearance between to permit the member to tilt laterally somewhatin the planeof the guide.

7. In a motor and clutch structure, a motor shaft, an armature freely rotatable thereon, a clutch member fixed to said clutch member having a frictional concave clutch surface arranged in op 'tion to an end wall-of the armature, suc clutch defining a cone, guide means secured directly to an end of the armature, and movable clutch memberspositioned on said guide the motor shaft,Y

ico

guide and member means and operable in response to centrifugal force in the armature when rotated, to move radiallyl into clutching engagement with the first mentioned clutch member, said clutch members being formed with clutch surfaces adapted, when in clutching position,l to define a convex cone.

8. In a motor and clutch structure, a motor shaft, an armature freely rotatable. thereon, a. clutch `member fixed to the motor shaft, said clutch member having a frictional concave clutch surface arranged in opposition to an end wall of the armature, such clutch surface defining a cone, guide means secured l directly to an end of the armature, and movable clutch'members positioned on said guide means and operable 1n response to centrifugal force in the armature when rotated, to move radially into clutching engagement 20 with the first mentioned clutch member, said clutch members being formed with. clutch surfaces adapted, when in clutching position, to define a convex cone, there being suicent clearance between the guide means and the 25 movable clutch. members to permit said members to tilt laterally somew at in the planel of the guide means. y

Signed at St. Louis, and State of Missouri,

this 1st day of A 1929. w M. PERSONS. 

